Jimmy Carter

James Earl Carter Jr. (October 1, 1924 – December 29, 2024) was an American politician and humanitarian. He served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party, Carter held the position of the 76th governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975 and was a state senator from 1963 to 1967. He is recognized as the longest-lived president in U.S. history and was the only president to reach the age of 100.

Born in Plains, Georgia, Carter was the first U.S. president born in a hospital, specifically at Wise Sanitarium, where his mother was employed as a registered nurse. His parents were Bessie Lillian Gordy and James Earl Carter Sr. He was a descendant of Thomas Carter, an English immigrant who settled in Virginia in 1635. Carter's family had a long-standing history of cotton farming in Georgia.

During his childhood, Carter's family moved multiple times before settling on a farm in Archery, Georgia. His family experienced economic hardship during the Great Depression, though his father became a community leader and benefactor in the local area. Carter had a good relationship with his parents; his father was pro-segregation but allowed Carter to befriend Black farmhands' children. As a teenager, Carter demonstrated entrepreneurial skills by growing and selling peanuts and renting out tenant housing he purchased.

Carter attended Plains High School from 1937 to 1941, graduating after completing 11th grade, as the school did not have a 12th grade. He was involved in basketball and Future Farmers of America, aiding his interest in woodworking. He aspired to attend the United States Naval Academy, which he achieved through an appointment from U.S. Representative Stephen Pace in 1943. Carter graduated in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as an ensign.

He married Rosalynn Smith in 1946; the couple remained married until her death in 2023. Carter participated in the Navy's submarine program and served aboard USS Pomfret and USS K-1. He was promoted to lieutenant junior grade in 1949 and began working with the Navy’s nuclear submarine program under Captain Hyman G. Rickover, who significantly influenced Carter's views on atomic energy.

In 1952, Carter participated in a response team at Chalk River Laboratories following a reactor meltdown, an experience that shaped his later stance on nuclear policy. He transitioned from active Navy service in 1953 to manage his family's peanut farm after his father's death in 1953. The transition to farming proved difficult initially but eventually resulted in a successful agricultural business.

Carter entered politics as a Georgia state senator in 1963, serving until 1967, and later served as governor from 1971 to 1975. His tenure as governor was marked by efforts in civil rights and economic development, positioning him among the first "New South" governors committed to desegregation.

In 1976, Carter announced his candidacy for president, securing the Democratic nomination as an outsider. He narrowly defeated incumbent Gerald Ford in the general election. His presidency included actions such as pardoning Vietnam draft evaders, negotiating the Camp David Accords, the Panama Canal Treaties, and initiating diplomatic relations with China. He implemented a national energy policy, created the Departments of Energy and Education, and faced foreign policy crises including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Iran hostage crisis, and the 1979 oil crisis.

Carter sought re-election in 1980, defeating Ted Kennedy in the primaries but losing the general election to Ronald Reagan. His presidency has been ranked below average by historians and political scientists. After leaving office, Carter established the Carter Center in 1982, promoting human rights, democracy, and disease eradication. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and engaged extensively in humanitarian work, including peace negotiations, election monitoring, and efforts to eradicate diseases such as dracunculiasis.

Carter was involved with Habitat for Humanity, authored several books and poetry, and remained active in public life well into his later years. He passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.